Press brake



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ATTORNEY R. FUNK PRESS BRAKE Filed Nov. 22,- 1943 Aug. 26, 1947. I K 2,426,446

\ PRESS BRAKE Filed Nov. 2 2, 1943 s Sheets-Sheet :5

RUDOLPH FUNK 8 INVENTOR MMM . ATTORNEY Aug. 26, 1947. I R.,FUNK 2,426,446

PRESS BRAKE Patented Aug. 26, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRESS BRAKE RudolphFunk, Hagerstown, Md;

Application November 22, 194-3, Serial No;- 51-1245 6 Claims;

1. This invention relates generally to the field-of pressing, bending and forming metals or similar sheet materials and more particularly to a novel press brake construction' in which a singlepress may be utilized to produce a variety of forms.

In connection with the fabrication of small parts generally of sheet metal in various industries, frequently the need'for apart is limited to a small number and itbecomes uneconomic to make up dies for them. the principal objects of the present invention to provide press brake structure adaptable to produce a plurality of shapes and configurations which ordinarily would be formed up from specially-prepared dies;

Apart from the necessarily increased cost in the production of asmall number of stamped or pressed parts by the use of sp'ecial' dies consid erable time is consumed in changing the dies on,

the press and adjusting them so that they function properly.

It is another object-herein topr'ovide a novel press brake in which changes to accommodate the production of varying'shapes may be rapidly made and adjustment forali'gnment and" regis tration may be quickly accomplished;

In connection with the present structure it is to be noted that different shapes are produced through the use of the same male and-female dies by adjusting the inter-engagement of the dies; the provision of control mechanism whereby the stroke of the press can be quickly and easily set and indicator means are used sothat by proper:

calculation the operator'is' able to: obtain a certain depth of bend each-time without theeffortof trial and error and'the consequent waste of 'ma terial thereby entailed;

A further feature of the present construction lies in the fact that the legs ortab lengths of bent-up parts can be controlled bythe use of-anadjustable gauge which can be setto a'predetermined figure which will establish the length of a leg or tab of aben'd. V

In accordance with the invention, two separate groups of diesor punch'and die combinations are utilized and means are provided whereby the die groups may be quickly shifted so astoposition difierent' setsof die elements for interengagement and whereby the die wheels them-- selves may beeasily' removed and reinstalled or have: other die wheels substituted therefor.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that by: virtue of the easy removal and replacement i the die elements notonly can hifts in the die It is therefore one of- An object ofthe present invention lies in 2. shapes be readily accomplished but also the dies may be sharpened or ground tonew shapes in a'quickand easymanner.

Another. object herein lies in the provision of a machine of'the class described which i compactly arrangedzso that the same requires aminimum of floor. spaceiand in which all of the parts are Within easy reach and accessible to theoporator with a minimum of efiort;

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages-will more. fully appear'in the progress of thi's disclosure and be pointed out in the ap,- pended claims.

In the-drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure lis a front elevational view of a preferrede'mbo'diment of theiinvention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged'fragmentary vertical sectional. View showing a pair of cooperating die elements-in theioperation o'f forming a bend in a sheet metal box. T

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure2' but shows another pair of co-acting die elements forming up aflanged U-shaped channel.

Figure 4 is a right side elevational view of Figure 1'.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view partly in section ofithe upper portion of Figure 4.

Figure 6' is: an enlarged-fragmentary elevational view pa rtly'in section of the lower portion of Figllre4.

Figure:- 7' is a fragmentary enlarged, horizontal sectional-view asseen from the plane 'l--1 on- Figure-4r Figure: 8 is a -fragm'entary enlarged horizontal sectionalview as seen from the. plane 8'8'on Fi ure-5,

In accordance with the invention the press brake is-indi'cated generally by numeral'ifl" and comprises 'bro'ad-ly'aframe or chassis 2|; a relatively stationary"(inclement-22 arel'atively movabledie element-2'3 means Z ito move the relativelymovable die element; means 25- to regu- Said hubs and the wheel are provided with a central orifice, by the penetration of which said die element is rotatably mounted upon the hollow axle A2. The rear end of the axle 42 threadedly engages the frame 2| at the portion 43 (see Figure 6) and is supported in an orifice in the upper end of the arm 44. The axle 42 may take the form of a hollow bolt having a head 45 to which is fixedly secured the stationary indicator Wheel 26.

The relatively stationary die element 22 is rotationally adjustable and is retained in any ro-:

tated position thereof, in which one of the female die members is in operative position by the engagement of the positioning means control 41. The control 61 has the terminal 48 thereof threadedly engaged in a boss 49 while the body 59 slidably penetrates an orifice in the boss 5! extending rearwardly from the arm 44. Thus the control Al is axially shiftable in position with relation to the arm 44 so that the frusto-conical portion 52 may seat within a correspondingly formed orifice 53 in the element 22. The orifice 53 is therefore positioned in the element 22 so that the female die member 33 is in proper position when the control 4'1 engages said orifice. The orifices 52-438, inclusive, are correspondingly positioned in correlation with the desired operating position of the die members 34-38, respectively. In order to rotate the die element 22 it is necessary to move the control 41 forwardly of the press brake until the terminal 48 clears the element 22.

The first or upper die element 23, referred to above as the relatively movable dieelement, .is preferably in the form of a plate having a polygonal periphery and by way of example, is shown as having a generally hexagonal shape including the male die members 63, 64, 65, 66, 61 and 68. Each of the said male die members are of a size and shape adapted to co-act with one or more of the female die members 33-38, inclusive. As best seen in Figure 1 some of the female die members are detachably engageable with the die element 23 as, for example, the male die members El and 65; The construction of the male die member Gland its interengagement with the portion of the die element 23 adjacent thereto is seen in Figure 2. The die member 6'! as illustrated is narrower in width, that is to say: the effective length of the working edge thereof is less than the total length of the working edge of the female die member 31. This reduced effective length of the working edge of the die member 8'! permits the same to be inserted within the confines and between the relatively vertical walls of formed-up boxes. Thus in Figure 2, the box shown, by way of example,

, and indicated by reference character 84, has

end walls 85 and 86 and a side wall 81. The side Wall opposite the side wall 81 is not shown but the die member 6'! has the working edge 88 resting upon the inner surface of the sheet forming the bottom 63 and the end wall 86 and is pressing these parts against the ribs BI and 62 of the female die member. The body 59 of the die member 61 has the rear edge 69 thereof provided with a plurality of slots 10 which are provided with indentations in the opposed Walls thereof to form a proper seat for the frusto-conical shank H on the clamping screws 72. The screws '12 are adapted to engage spaced and aligned orifices E9 in the rabbet portion 8% of the die element 23. The indentations in the walls of the slots 18 are so positioned that when the edge 59 of the die member 67 abuts against the horizontal edge of the rabbet 88 as viewed in Figure 2 the orifices I9 are aligned in one direction with the clamping screws 12 as seated in said indentations. The orifices. T3 are preferably uniformly spaced so that the substitution of male die elements corresponding to the die element 6'5 but of different working edge length may be readily accomplished in a minimum amount of time.

The male die member 65 is of irregular configuration, best seen in sectional view shown in Figure 3, and includes a working edge 2'2 while the shank or rear edge 82 thereof is provided with a, row of aligned orifices adapted to receive the clamping screws 8! which detachably secure the same in place. The portion of the die element 23 to which the shank 82 is connected is provided with a rabbet 83 so that the working edge 92 may be in proper alignment with the ribs 83 and 90 of the female die member As seen in Figure 3 the male die member may be utilized to form a U-shaped channel with flanged edges. The said channel in said figure is indicated by reference character M. The rabbet portions 88 and 33 have the edges thereof which are nearest the axis of rotation of the die element 23 arcuately indented (see Figure 1) so that they may properly clear the positioning means control 93.

The die element 23 is rotatably adjustable and is retained in any rotated position thereof in which one of the male die members is in operative position by the engagement of the positioning means control 93. The control 93 has the terminal 94 thereof threadedly engaged in a boss 95 while the body I95 slidably penetrates an orifice in the boss 96 extending rearwardly from the arm 91. Thus the control 93 is axially shiftable in position with relation to the arm 91 so that the frusto-conical portion 33 may seat within a correspondingly formed orifice 13 in the element 23. The orifice 13 is therefore positioned in the element 23 so that the male die member 63 is in proper position when the control 93 engages said orifices. The orifices 'i'l-l8, inclusive, are correspondingly positioned in correlation with the desired operating position of the die members fi l-68, respectively. In order to rotate the die element 23 it is necessary to move the control 93 forwardly of the press brake 22 until the terminal 94 clears the element 23.

The first or upper die element 23 is preferably so constructed that the ends of the male members 63-68 are separated by indentations generally indicated by the reference character Hid. The die element 23 is preferably disc-like in character and is provided with centrally disposed hubs l0! and H32. Said hubs and the wheel are provided with a central orifice, by the penetration of which said die element is rotatably mounted upon the axle I63. The rear end of the axle I63 threadedly engages the carriage I04 at the por tion Hi5 (see Figure 5) and is supported in an orifice in the lower end of the arm 91. The axle .5 I03 may take the form of; a bolt having head I06.

The carriage Ill4' is slidably mounted for vertical reciprocation on-theportion 3I- of the frame 2I between a pair of ways IBBandIGH-thereat (seeFigure 8). The carriage I64may be adjusted to prevent lateral shifting by rotation of'the gib screws Iillwhich shift the gib II 4.

The carriage I04 together withthe attached structure as described, is verticallyreciprocated by a pneumatically or hydraulically operated ram generally indicated by reference character 24. The means 24 includes a cylinder III,a= piston H2, a piston rod H3, and a cylinder-headIM. The cylinder III is secured to the portion 35 of the frame 2.I in any suitable manner as, for example, by the use of the bolts H5; while the cylinderhead II4-* is, secured to the upper free edge of the cylinder III in any-suitable manner as, for example, by the bolts H6. The lower'wall II! of the cylinder III is provided with a centrally'disposed orifice I I8 and adownwardly extending neck H9 within which the piston rod H3 is slidably mounted. The lower inside portion of the neck H9 is provided with a stuffing boxstructure I20 adapted to prevent the escape of gas or liquid from the inside of the cylinder I I I outwardly along the piston rod H3. The upper end of the piston rod H3 is secured to the piston H2 While the lower end thereof is articulately connected to the uppermost portion of the carriage I04. This connection may be accomplishedby inserting the lower end of the piston rod I I3 into a suitably formed orifice in the carriage I64 and linking these parts together by a pin I-2I.- Upwardly of the pin .I2I and below the stufiing box structure I20 the piston rod H3 is provided with an enlargement I22 which may take the form ofan annular flange. The upper surface of the flange I22 is adapted to abut against the lowermost surface of the neck H9 of the lowermost portion of the cylinder III when the piston H2 is in its uppermost position adjacent the inner surface of the head I I 4. The outer surface of the neck H9 is provided witha thread I23 and upon which is threadedly engaged themeans to regulate the depth of stroke of the piston rod I I3, said means being generally indicated by reference character 25. The means 25 may take the form of an internally threaded sleeve I24 having a detent flange I25and a pair of'hand wheels I26 and I 21. The hand wheels I25 and I21 are preferably horizontally disposed and extend radially from the axis of rotation of the sleeve I24. Since the flange I25 projects into the downward path of travel of the enlargement I22 the vertical setting of the sleeve I24 with relation to the neck I I9 will predetermine the lowermost point of travel of the piston rod H3 and hence the carriage I84, and the die element 23; The forward portion of the bottom wall I I? is provided with a downwardly extending projection I28'and has aifixed thereto a pointer I29 the lower terminal I36 of which is adapted to lie forwardly of the graduation lines I3i disposed upon the outer-surface of the sleeve I24. These graduation lines-are generally horizontally arranged'and for thepurpose-of finer adjustment vertical graduation lines I32 -may also be employed; so that by the proper manipulation of either of the hand wheels I26 or I 21 the limit of downward travel of the-working face or-edge of-any-of themale die :members 636 8, may beaccuratelycontrolled to within relatively close tolerances,

The-cylinder H I is provided with two conduits I33.:and; I34, best seenin Figurefi, whereitheyare connected to saidcylinderbymeans offithezunions I35 and. I36, respectively. The. conduits:- I33 and I-34icontinue downwardly, as bestseen in FigureB, t0 the control valve I31. The valve I3-I may be of any well known constructionandis secured to the frame 2I' at the lowerportion thereof ad.' jacent the base 21. The piston I38of thevalve I3! has the piston rod I39 thereof extending horizontally forward and connectsto the bell crank- I40:which is journaled between the lugs I4I- projecting from the forward portion of the frame thereat. The forwardly extending portion of the bell crank I45 forms the operating pedal I42; It may thus be seen that downward pressure upon the pedal I42 pulls the piston I38fo'rward so that pneumatic or hydraulic pressuretravelling through theconduit I43'from any suitable source thereof (not shown) will travel throughthe conduit I33 through the union I35-into the chamber below the cylinder head II 4 causing the-piston II2- to move downwardly. After the pressing-or braking operation is completed release of'pressure upon the pedal I42 will permitthesame to-be returned to the position shown in Figure 5by any suitable spring means (not shown) so that the pneumatic or hydraulicpressure in theconduit I43 may travel through the conduit I34 to the lower chamber in the cylinder I II toelevate the piston H2 and with it the die" element 23: Suitable pressure escape means'well known in-the hydraulic or pneumatic arts areassociated' with the upper and lower-chambers of the cylinder II I, that is, above and belowthe-piston II 2' so' that the undesired pressure at any given moment when the pedal I42 is operated may be relieved.

For the purpose of properly positioning the planar or previously bent stock such as, for-example, the piece of stock indicated'by reference character I44 in Figure 6, theguagemeans 26--is utilized. The means His best seen inFigures 6 and '7 of the accompanyingdrawings and includes a pair of generally horizontally arranged; spaced and parallel guide'rods' I45 and I46. The guide rods I45 and I46 are supported in operative position upon a pair of outwardlyextending ears I 4! and I48 projecting from the vertical sidewalls of theframe 2I adjacent the throat portion 29; Slidably mounted for'movement longitudinally of said rods and forwardly o-r rearwardlyof the. device 2!! is a guage base I49 which is provided at the outer ends thereofiwith'a pair of integralcollars I50 and I5I. The base'ateach of'the'ends thereof is provided withan orifice which extends throughthe collars and which'is'penetrated' by one of the rods I45, I46. 'lhe'central'portionof the base I49 is provided with'a horizontally dis= posed-threaded orifice.

A guide piece I52 may be of "any suitable TCOII; figuration adapted to act'asarearward stopfor theparticular piece corresponding to the piece I 44" upon which the machine may act. For example, the guide piece I52may beprovided witha rabbet I53; The guidepiece I52 is provided with a central vertically disposed orifice which is penetrated by a set screw I54 which serves to'pivotally mount the guide piece I52 upon the base" I49*and*to secure said guide piece in "anyrotated position' thereof, that isto say: rotated-abouta vertical axisthrough the screw' I545 Penetrating the-central threaded orifice in"the base -I 4 9 -is'a-spind1e'l55; The "forward portion of-thespindle I55 threadedly-engages the 'thread= ed orificein-the base I49and-isjournaledatxthe:

rear portion thereof in a boss I56 extending're'arwardly off the inner surface of the front .wall II of the throat portion 29 of the frame 2|. The rear end of the spindle I55 is provided'with a sprocket I58, in turn connected by a sprocket chain I59. The chain I59 engages a sprocket I60 which is secured to the inner or rear end of the spindle IGI. The spindle IGI is journaled adgiacent the rear end thereof in a bearing I62 supported by a hanger I63 depending from the inner surface of the front wall I51. The forward portion of the spindle IEI is journalled in the axle 42 within which it i free to rotate. The forward end of the spindle IBI terminates in attachment to the rotatable indicator wheel I64. The indicator wheel I64 contains well known planetary gearing or other speed reducing mechanism which is connected to a stub shaft I65 the forward terminal of which has fixedly secured thereto a gauge operating handle I66. Any suitable means for reducing the effective speed of rotation of the spindle ISI with relation to the effective speed or movement of the stub shaft I65 may be used and confined within the wheel Mid and is therefore not particularly illustrated in the drawings. The uppermost portion of the stationary indicator wheel 46 is preferably provided with an indicator mark by means of which the graduations IEI on the wheel I64 may be calibrated and read. Upon a perusal of Figure 6 it will be seen that rotation of the handle I66 will provide forward or rearward movements of the base Hi9 and by reason of the stepped-down action previously described the guide piece I52 may be controlled in position within relatively close limits.

It may thus be seen that the operation of the present device in an efiicient manner is a relatively simple procedure. By loosening and moving forward the controls ll and 93 the die elements 22 and 23 may be readily shifted to obtain any desired pair of co-acting male and female die elements. The manipulation of the guide by movement of the handle I66 is quickly accomplished and where angular pieces are being treated operation of the set screw I54 quickly sets the guide piece I52 to the correct angle. By the provision of a soft metal plug I68 below the lower terminal of the set screw I54 the tightening of the screw I5 3 will also bring pressure to bear upon the forward threaded portion of the spindle $55 so as to look not only the guide piece I52 in position but also the base I49.

The accurate and ready adjustment of the depth of the stroke of the male die member is of great importance because by the regulation of said stroke, channel or angle bends of various degrees of angularity may be obtained with the same pair of male and female die members. Thus, as seen in Figure 6, for example, when the die member 63 is in the lowered position thereof, indicated by the dot-dash lines on said figure, a bend of some particular angularity as, for example, that indicated by the reference character IM will be obtained. The degree of angularity of the bend will be determined by several factors among which is the hardness or softness of the metal. By the fine regulation of the depth of the stroke of the male die member 63 by the rotation ofthe sleeve I24 the overbending necessary to accommodate for the spring of the metal is readily compensated for.

With the die structureshown in' Figure 6, lower limit of travel of the male die element 63 will produce more acute angular bends while, conversely, higher limits of travel of the said male die element will result in more obtuse b nds. w

The present machine is particularly adapted for flexible production where large runs are not required and where it is necessary frequently to shift back to a product previously made. By virtue of the calibration of the graduations I3I and I32 as well as the graduations I61, it becomes possible to return to a previous product construction and to duplicate the same. On straight angle bends it is possible to set the depth of stroke by rotationof one of the hand wheels I26 or I21 with reference to the graduations I31 and I32 to a predetermined position so that the operator by referring to a suitable table (not shown) including previously determined calibrations, may obtain desired different angles or bends without experimentation. Such a chart may include not only the various stop settings, but information correlating these settings with the various combinations of dies, material thicknesses, and types of material.

Manipulation of the handle I56 enables the operator to quickly determine the length of a leg or legs of a particular bend. This gauge construction therefore permits the ready formation of many different types of bend, tabs, legs, brackets, or box forms. For example, if a piece of metal is to be bent up and is to have one leg thereof one inch long, handle number IE6 is rotated until the graduations on the wheel I64 indicate one inch. By virtue of the compact arrangement of the various parts, a device of high versatility is produced and yet which takes a minimum of floor space. All of the controls are Within handy reach of the operators hands or feet so that apart from the adjustment of the device to handle different shapes, when it is desired to use the device as a production machine, this may be satisfactorily done.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A quick change press brake for use in forming material, comprising: a first die; a second die; first means to move said first die toward said second die, said means including a cylinder having a hollow neck and an externally flanged piston rod slidably disposed within said neck; and second adjustable means to limit movement of the first die toward the second die, said second means including an internally flanged sleeve threadedly engaged on said neck, the internal flange on said sleeve being adapted to act as a detent for the external flange on the piston rod.

2. A quick change press brake for use in forming material, comprising: a, first die; a second die; first means to move said first die toward said second die, said means including ,a cylinder having a hollow neck and an externally flanged piston rod slidably disposed within said neck; and second adjustable means to limit movement of the first die toward the second die, said second means including an internally flanged sleeve having graduations thereon and threadedly engaged on said neck, the internal flange on said sleeve being adapted to act as a detent for the external flange on the piston rod; and a stationary pointer mounted on said cylinder and adapted to coact with the graduations on said sleeve.

3. A quick change press brake for use in forming material comprising: a first die; a second die; means to move said first die toward said second die; means to rotatably mount the second die on said press brake; and. gauge means adjustably positioned in the vicinity of a point at which said dies are juxtaposed, said gauge means including a control therefor penetrating said means for rotatably mounting the second die substantially at the axis of rotation of said last mentioned means, whereby rotation of said second die does not affect the said gauge means.

4. A quick change press brake for use in forming material, comprising: a first die; a second die; means to move said first die toward said second die; means to rotatably mount the second die on said press brake; gauge means adjustably positioned in the vicinity of a point at which said dies are juxtaposed, said gauge means including a control therefor penetrating said means for rotatably mounting the second die substantially at the axis of rotation of said last mentioned means, whereby rotation of said second die does not aiTect the said gauge means; adjustable stop means to limit movement of said first die toward said second die; and graduations associated with said stop means to indicate the limit of travel of the first die toward the second die; and graduations associated with said gauge means control and disposed in front of the second die to indicate the position of said gauge means with relation to said point of juxtaposition.

5. A quick change press brake for use in forming material, comprising: a first die; a second die; first means to move the first die toward the second die; second means to rotatably mount the second die on the press brake; a guide rod extending from the press brake in the vicinity of the point of juxtaposition of said dies; a base horizontally movable on said guide rod; a guide piece n said base; a spindle rotatably mounted on the press brake and in threaded engagement with said base; and third means to rotate said spindle so as to advance and retract said base and guide piece; said third means penetrating said second means at the axis of rotation of the second means; whereby the third means may be actuated independently of the rotation of the second die.

6. A quick change press brake for use in forming material, comprising: a first die; a second die; first means to move the first die toward the second die; second means to rotatably mount the second die on the press brake; a guide rod extending from the press brake in the vicinity of the point of juxtaposition of said dies; a base horizontally movable on said guide rod; a guide piece mounted on said base for movement about a vertical axis; a spindle in threaded engagement with said base; and third means to rotate said spindle so as to advance and retract said base and guide piece in a generally horizontal plane; said third means penetrating said second means at the axis of rotation thereof; whereby the third means may be actuated independently of rotation of the second die.

RUDOLPH FUNK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,664,851 Glass Apr. 3, 1928 848,822 Greenleaf Apr. 2, 1907 1,474,438 Muller Nov. 20, 1923 1,268,277 Ransdall June 4, 1918 2,135,639 Gorham Nov. 8, 1938 Re. 10,665 Towle Nov. 24, 1885 621,097 Keim Mar. 14, 1889 626,448 Tennant June 6, 1899 1,863,448 Landenberger et al. June 14, 1932 986,809 Denbyshire et al. Mar. 14, 1911 284,910 Seymour Sept. 11, 1883 

